BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

by Steve
Friday, July 06, 2007

Did you know that the popular pizza chain, BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse started in Santa Ana?

I remember going there with my family when I was a kid.

It was located on 17th street, just a block east from the corner with Bristol St. It opened up in 1978.

According to BJ's website, it was called, "BJ's Chicago Pizzeria", but my family always called it "Chicago Pizza". It had sawdust all over the floor, and they indeed made some great chicago-style pizza. The lighting was always dark inside, and my parents would always get a pitcher of beer. I want to say that they used to have red and white checkered tabled cloths.

In 1996, BJ's began offering their own line of beers, and then switched their name to "BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse". I remember in the late 1990's seeing BJ's springing up everywhere, but it never dawned on me this was the same "chicago pizzeria" that my family went to in the late 70's.

Our family would pack up inside my dad's Chevy van, with some friends of ours, and we'd have a great time there.

Interestingly, BJ's no longer operates a restaurant in Santa Ana.

I sent an e-mail to the people at BJ's and asked if they had a photograph of the original Santa Ana restaurant, and I got a reply from Rob DeLiema, the President, that they did not. If any of you happen to have one, contact me, and I'll put it online.

Otherwise, click on "Post a Comment" if you remember going to the original BJ's.

Labels: BJ's-Restaurant-Brewhouse